Chapter 253: Let the Little Boy in Your Heart Come Out for a Walk
Lucifer's thoughts naturally drifted to Soryuin Akemi and her circle of friends. She held a rather fond impression of those young women; they were interesting and affable, their social lives were refreshingly straightforward, and their hobbies—fitness, gourmet food, movies, and martial arts—were all commendably strong.
The more she considered it, the more the idea solidified in her mind. She turned to Kasugano Sora with a gentle, conspiratorial smile. "So, Sora... are you saying that if there weren't so many... strange boys around, you could tolerate the idea of school?"
Kasugano Sora mulled it over for a moment, her silver hair catching the light. "If those obnoxious boys weren't there, I suppose going to school would be okay... but I probably wouldn't want to go every single day."
Lucifer's smile widened. "What if it was a school with a flexible attendance policy? And what if you could have a few genuine friends to spend time with? Don't worry," she added, seeing the doubt in Sora's eyes, "they're not the same kind of childish girls you're used to."
A flicker of interest appeared in Sora's quiet gaze. She wasn't inherently gloomy; she simply found the people her age to be unbearably immature and annoying. Making small talk with them felt like a greater waste of time than browsing the internet. But the thought of having real friends at school... that was a hope she still quietly held.
Lucifer picked up her phone, her slender fingers scrolling through a contact list. She stopped on an avatar she recognized from a group chat—someone she'd never exchanged a single word with, nor had she seen them post very often.
A few minutes later, after a brief message exchange, Lucifer received a reply and promptly dialed the number provided. Kasugano Sora watched her with a puzzled expression, while Pepper Potts leaned forward slightly, her curiosity piqued by what Lucifer was planning.
"Hmm~ It's me. This is the first time we've spoken like this."
A voice on the other end responded, and Lucifer's tone remained light and easy.
"Sora..."
"Now, don't get agitated. Sora is perfectly fine. In fact, she's completely recovered."
"Why would I mislead you about something like this? I just happened to have a method to treat Sora's condition, and she's exceptionally healthy now. If you need a full health report, I can take a picture and send it over in a bit."
On the other end of the line, Soryuin Shion, lounging against the headboard of her bed in silk pajamas, let out a soft, pleased sigh. "So, Lucifer, are you calling just to give me this good news? If so, I'm truly grateful..."
Lucifer chuckled, the sound like wind chimes. "Of course not. Sora was just telling me why she doesn't want to go to school. It seems she finds her peers... lacking. You understand what I mean, don't you?"
A rich laugh echoed from the phone. "I never would have guessed that girl disliked school for such a reason. But more, that girl Kirari actually dared to try and poach someone from my own backyard. If Sora comes here, she won't have any of those problems. I would welcome her with open arms, and I know Akemi and the others would adore her."
Lucifer nodded, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Then you can tell Sora that yourself. I'm merely presenting the option; the final decision rests with this little one, and with your ability to persuade her."
With that, she handed the phone to Kasugano Sora. The girl took it hesitantly, her eyes wide. "Sister Lucifer, who did you just call?"
"Shion."
"Eh?! Sister Shion...!"
As Kasugano Sora held the phone to her ear, listening intently to Soryuin Shion, Potts watched with a warm smile. "It looks like she'll be going to school after all. But Miss Lucifer, you're really nothing like the myths describe."
"Actually, there's no real difference," Lucifer replied, her gaze distant for a moment. "The circumstances are just different. A fall that lasted nine days and nights, an archangel becoming a demon... the core elements are the same. But this isn't Hell now, is it?"
Potts nodded slowly, then a playful glint appeared in her eyes. "Is it because of Mr. Ren?"
The question made a faint blush dust Lucifer's cheeks. She looked away, a soft, reminiscent look softening her features. "Hmm... I suppose it is... No... It must be because of him."
"Hmm?"
Lucifer's smile was a mix of pride and affection. "Otherwise, what other reason could there be for the Queen of Hell to be powerless against a single man, and to willingly stay here and run a little restaurant for him?"
Potts smiled back, a sense of wonder in her voice. "I never thought I would one day meet the legendary Lucifer, let alone the man who could conquer the Queen of Hell. It's truly an amazing thing to witness."
Lucifer waved a dismissive hand, though her smile remained. "Ren says I'm an extraordinary existence, but he is just as extraordinary. When one extraordinary person meets another, it's not so surprising for extraordinary things to happen."
"That does make a lot of sense... Hmm? What is that smell?! It's incredible!"
Potts had been about to ask how Lucifer and Ren had met when a rich, savory aroma suddenly filled the air, cutting her question short. Lucifer paused, her nose twitching slightly. "Did Ren fall into a vat of cheese today? Why would he be making a dish with cheese?"
"Cheese? Oh, you're right! That's the aroma of cheese! It's so fragrant! How can even cheese smell this good? And... I can also smell a hint of the ocean!"
"The ocean?"
The word made Lucifer pause. She seemed to recall seeing the ocean once, from a great distance, and had never laid eyes on it again. The thought sparked a sudden desire within her to go to the beach.
She was still pondering how to arrange such a trip when she remembered the Otherworld. She could simply go there to see the sea. The world of Pokémon, in particular, came to mind—the Pokémon living in the ocean were said to be beautiful.
'Hmm... I should definitely bring Ren along...'
Potts, however, was completely absorbed in the moment. Nearby, Kasugano Sora was listening like a child being gently lectured by a respected elder, holding the phone obediently as she took in Sister Shion's rare, serious words.
"Hmm? Therefore, as a carbon-based lifeform, I should be... hmm... quite fragrant... I must be an accidental creation of cosmic cheese..."
A new voice cut through the air, sharp and erratic.
"No... what cheese! It must be due to some magical law of nature... just like a lobster..."
"Ah! How did it turn into a Boston lobster again!"
Seeing Tony Stark suddenly spiraling into a bizarre monologue, Potts was momentarily stunned before breaking into a quiet chuckle. "Tony, I have a feeling our dinner will be here very soon."
"I know, I can smell it," he shot back, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Paella, the scent of cheese... and if it's a Boston lobster, I might just laugh out loud. I can already taste how delicious that lobster will be. I should have ordered one of those!"
"I have a feeling Mr. Ren would have chosen it for you. He's very considerate, after all. By the way, Tony, have you figured out the meaning of being an 'accident' yet?"
"What accident? This is an inevitability!" Tony declared, striking a pose. "It is inevitable that a person named Tony Stark should exist in this world, to become a billionaire, a scientist, a..."
"A hero."
Tony hadn't finished his sentence when Ren emerged, pushing a dining cart. He finished the thought for him with a knowing smile. It was, however, exactly what Tony had been about to say. A broad grin spread across Tony's face. "Ren, this is why I say you're a good friend. I am really looking forward to this dinner."
Watching Tony, who had suddenly become as calm and eager as a child on Christmas morning, Potts just smiled and shook her head. Deep down, inside every man, a little boy still lived. You couldn't let the weight of maturity crush him forever. Sometimes, you had to grant him a little freedom, let the man with the world on his shoulders rest, and allow the boy without a single care to come out and play.
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